OPINION — Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 62. I was used to relying on my sharp mind, whether I was working on an engineering project or balancing our family’s checkbook in my head. Suddenly, the future looked uncertain. I knew I wanted to fight.
Since I was diagnosed early, I was able to try a new anti-amyloid treatment designed to slow the disease. I quickly noticed a difference. The medication helped me keep things straight in my daily life, and it lessened the anxiety that came with growing more forgetful and facing the tough road ahead. My improvement was a ray of hope for our family.
However, when Alzheimer’s forced me to retire, I lost my employer-sponsored health insurance, and my anti-amyloid treatment with it. My new provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, refused to cover the medicine even though my doctor said it was necessary and it had clearly been working.
